GB2303117A

GB2303117A - Optical disc storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2303117A
Application number: GB9513831A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hiromichi Uchida
Original assignee: Toyo Kagaku Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyo Kagaku Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-06-21
Filing date: 1995-07-06
Publication date: 1997-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-06
Also published as: GB9513831D0; US5593031A; GB2303117B; DE19525656B4; DE19525656A1

Abstract

An optical disc storage device (1) comprises a casing (6) formed by a body (4) with a hinged lid (5). An optical disc holder (3) is slidably arranged inside the casing (6). A leaf spring (11) biases the holder (3) outwards towards an opening in a side edge of the casing (6), to project an edge portion of the optical disc (2) through the opening for take-out. The holder (3) can be manually retracted into the casing (6) against the spring bias, and can be locked in its retracted position by a pawl (14) on the holder (3) engaging a stop on the casing body (4). Disengagement of the pawl (14), to release the holder (3), is by a press-button (15) in the side of the casing body (4). A hinged element (5a) forming part of the lid (5) normally closes the opening against intrusion of dust.

Description

OPTICAL DISC STORAGE DEVICE Backqround of the Invention

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

2303117 This invention relates to optical disc storage devices for storing optical discs, such as musical compact discs (CD), compact discs (CD-ROM) for computers, etc. More particularly, the invention concerns an optical disc storage device, which permits quick and smooth storage and take-out of an optical disc and can reliably store an optical disc without contaminating or- damaging the disc.

2. PRfOR ART As prior art optical disc storage device, there is one which comprises a holder plate for holding an optical disc in the center hole thereof and a lid member hinged to one side of the holder plate. This device is used for almost all commercijally available musical compact discs. It is very simple in structure, and its functions are protection and packing of an optical disc.

2 For the prior art optical disc storage device with the purposes of protection and packing of an optical disc, however, no consideration has been given to handling convenience in the storage and take-out of an optical disc. More specifically, to store or take out an optical disc in or out of the prior art optical disc storage device, cumbersome three stages of operation were necessary, i.e., holding the holder plate with one hand, open the lid member with the other hand, and storing or taking out the optical disc with that other hand. Besides, the lid member can be opened and closed only in one direction relative to the holder plate. Therefore, there is a problem that the lid can not be readily opened if the lid is underneath.

The above inconveniences in the storage and take-out of an optical disc, are a serious problem when handling optical discs in a running vehicle as well as in home or office. During driving, it is difficult for the driver to load an optical disc in a compact disc player without releasing the steering wheel. That is, it is very dangerous to intend to load a disc by releasing the wheel. In home or office, for storing a plurality of optical disc storage devices such that they are movable relative to one another, a rack or the like is necessary. Besides, with such a rack the number of 3 optical disc storage devices that can be stored is limited. Improvement, therefore, is desired in view of the convenience and handiness of handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide an optical disc storage device, which permits quick and ready take-out and storage of an optical disc in home or office and also permits very quick and ready takeout and storage of an optical disc with a single hand by a driver driving a vehicle.

The invention provides a device for storing an optical disc according to claim 1.

The invention will be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical dis storage device embodying the invention, with its lid opened; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the optical disc 4 storage device embodying the invention storing an optical disc and with its lid removed; Fig 3. is a sectional view of the optical disc storage device embodying the invention; Fig 4. is a plan view showing the optical disc storage device embodying the invention with the lid removed; Fig 5. is a fragmentary enlarged-scale plan view, partly broken away, showing lock means in the optical disc storage device embodying the invention; and Fig 6. is a fragmentary enlarged-scale sectional view -C showing an opening of the optical disc storage device embodying the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figs 1 to 6 show an optical disc storage device embodying the invention. In the Figures, reference numeral 1 designates the optical disc storage device.

The device 1 comprises an optical disc holder 3, for holding an optical disc 2, and a box-like casing 6, which has a storage part or body 4, for movably storing the optical disc holder 3, and a lid 5, hinged to one side of the storage part 4, adapted to be opened and closed relative to the storage part 4. The box-like casing 6 has an opening 6a which is provided on the side or edge opposite the hinge or coupling part between the storage part or body 4 and lid 5, the optical disc 2 being able to be inserted into the casing 6 through the opening 6a. The lid 5 has a hinged lid part 5a (c.f. Figs 3 and 6) which can open and close the opening 6a. The box- like casing 6 is specifically a transparent synthetic resin molding so that the optical disc 2 stored in it can be seen from the outside.

The optical disc holder 3 has a part-annular flange 3a with an optical disc accommodation recess, which has a diameter and a depth sufficient to accommodate the optical disc 2 in it. Lest the record portion of the optical disc 2 should be damaged in contact with the bottom of the recess, the flange 3a has a circumferential shoulder 7 which is arranged to be in contact with, or engage, an edge portion, i.e., non-record portion, of the optical disc 2 so that the disc 2 is held raised. The flange 3a is cut away, to form a wide opening, on the side of the opening 6a, because its radially inner portion is not in contact with the optical disc 2 and has no effect on the storage and take-out of the disc 2.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the inner peripheral wall 3b of the flange 3a, formed in the optical disc holder 3, is formed so as to be in contact with about two thirds to three quarters of the circumference of the optical disc 2 when the disc 2 is held by the holder 3. A portion of the holder 3 surrounding the flange 3a has lips 8 provided at three positions on the side opposite the 6 opening 6a and projecting radially inwardly. The edge of the optical disc 2 is clamped between the lips 8 and the shoulder 7. The portion surrounding the flange 3a further has stoppers 9 provided adjacent the cut-out of the flange 3a. The stoppers 9 serve to prevent the optical disc 2 from being detached from the inner periphery 3b of the flange 3a toward the opening 6a.

The lid 5 has its inner surface formed with an accommodating portion with tabs 5b formed at the four corners for retaining a rectangular disc jacket and such paper material as liner notes, specifications, etc. accessory to the stored optical disc 2. The lid 5 is -4 opened when taking out or putting back such disc jacket or paper material.

The optical disc holder 3 is movable through the storage part or body 4 with its opposite side rear portions engaged in grooves 10 formed in the opposite inner side surfaces of the storage part 4. The optical disc holder 3 is biased by a spring member 11 provided between its end opposite the opening 6a and the inner surface of the storage part 4, opposite the opening 6a. The optical disc holder 3 thus tends to project from the opening 6a. At least one of the grooves 10 has an end on the side of the opening 6a filled, or stopped up, so that it serves as a stopper to prevent the optical disc holder 3 from being detached from the storage part 4. With this stopper, a step portion formed on side surface of the 7 optical disc holder 3 is brought into contact.

The optical disc holder 3 can be locked to the body 4 by locking means 12. The locking means 12 comprises a raised stop 13, projecting inward from one side of the body 4, and a pawl 14 provided on a rear portion of the optical disc holder 3 on one side thereof. The pawl 14 has a substantially rectangular stem 14a secured by means of bonding to the optical disc holder 3. The pawl 14 also has an elongate flexing portion 14b extending from the stem 14a. This portion 14b is not fixed but is biased for slight flexing in the plane of the optical disc holder 3. When the flexing portion 14b is in its natural position, its free end is at a position of engagement with the stop 13.

Reference number 15 designates a manual lock release member for inwardly pushing the end of the flexing portion 14b of the pawl 14. This lock release member 15 has a stem united to a side surface of the body 4 and also has a finger application end portion 15a. Its inward flexing into the body 4 can be caused by pushing the finger application end portion 15a. In a state that the optical disc holder 3 is locked to the body 4, pushing of the end portion 15a of the lock release member 15 into the body 4 causes the stop 13 to be disengaged by the end of the flexing portion 14b of pawl 14. As a result, the optical disc holder 3 which is biased by the spring member 11 at all times, is moved or displaced to 8 project through the opening 6a. To lock the optical disc holder 3 in the body 4, the end of the optical disc 2 projecting from the opening 6a is pushed into the opening 6a and hence into the body 4. As a result, the end of the flexing portion 14b of the pawl 14 overrides the stop 13, and during this time it undergoes flexing along inclined surface of the stop 13. When the end of the flexing portion 14b clears the stop 13, the flexing portion 14b is restored to the initial position. Thus, the end of the flexing portion 14b engages the stop 13 upon release of the push of the optical disc holder 3 into the body 4. In this way, the optical disc holder-S is accommodated in the locked state in the body 4.

The lid portion 5a has one side hinged to an edge of the main part of the lid 5 for opening and closing the opening 6a of the box-like casing 6. The lid portion Sa keeps the dust out. When the optical disc holder 3 is caused to project from the box-like casing 6 by the biasing force of the spring member, the lid portion 5a can be readily opened by the accommodated optical disc 2.

The optical disc 2 accommodated in the optical disc accommodation recess of the flange 3a of the optical disc holder 3 is taken out in the following way. First, the lock release member 15 is pushed, to release the optical disc holder 3 from the body 4, so as to cause projection of an end portion of the optical disc 2 from the opening 6a. The projected end portion of the optical disc 2 is 9 inserted through an insertion opening of a compact disc player (not shown) mounted in a vehicle, and the end of the optical disc storage device 1 is slightly tilted downward. As a result, the optical disc 2 is separated from the stoppers 9 to be pulled naturally into the player. When taking out the optical disc 2 by hand, the end of the edge of the optical disc 2 or the end of the edge and the center hole 2a of the optical disc 2 are taken hold of, and in this state the edge of the optical disc 2 is caused to ride on the top of the stoppers 9 by raising the end of the optical disc 2. As a result, the optical disc 2 is separated from the stoppers 9. In this state, the optical disc 2 can be readily taken out from the optical disc holder 3 by pulling it out in a horizontal direction.

To accommodate the optical disc 2 in the optical disc storage device 1, by taking hold of the center hole 2a and the edge and the end of the optical disc 2, the end thereof is inserted in a slightly tilted state into the device 1 through the opening 6a such that it slides along the flange 3a exposed to the opening 6a. When the disc 2 is inserted up to its intermediate portion, its opposite side edges in the direction of insertion are brought into contact with the top of the stoppers 9. Now, with the surface of the stoppers 9 as a guide, the disc 2 is inserted into the box-like casing 6. Eventually, the leading end of the disc 2 is engaged with the lips 8. In this way, the disc 2 is accommodated and held in the optical disc holder 3. Now, the disc 2 is pushed into the box-like casing 6, and the end of pawl 14 is engaged with the stop 13, thus locking the optical disc holder 3 in the box-like casing 6. Then, the opening 6a is closed by the lid portion Sa.

Although not specifically shown, the outer surface of the box-like casing 6 of the optical disc storage device 1 may be provided with an appropriate engagement portion such as raised and depressed portions to be engaged with the engagement portion of the outer surface of the box- like casing 6 of a similar, adjacent, optical disc-' storage device 1 for stacking together adjacent optical disc storage devices 1. With such a structure, no rack is needed to store a plurality of optical disc storage devices 1, but stacked optical disc storage devices themselves serve as a rack. Such rack-like stack of optical disc storage devices has a convenience that, unlike with a rack, there is no limitation on the number of optical disc storage devices to be stored, but it is possible to stack any number of optical disc storage devices. In a different convenience aspect, a desired optical disc can be taken out by one-touch operation of the lock release member 15 of the optical disc storage device storing the optical disc.

The optical disc storage device having the structure as described and illustrated, may not only be used as 11 packing of a compact disc to be sold but may also be provided as such, i. e., as a multiple function case for transferring an optical disc thereto from i conventional optical disc storage device.

Summarising the optical disc storage device 1 comprises a box-like casing 6 and an optical disc holder 3 movably accommodated in the box-like casing 6 while carrying an optical disc 2. The box-like casing includes a storage, or accommodating part,. or body 4, for accommodating the optical disc holder 3, and a lid 5 hinged to one side of the accommodating part 4 for opening and closing the accommodating part 4. The box-like casing 6 has an opening 6a for inserting the optical disc 2 therethrough. The boxlike casing 6 includes biasing means 11 for biasing the optical disc holder 3 towards and through the opening 6a, and locking means 13-15 for locking the optical disc holder 3 within the accommodating part or body 4, and for releasing the lock of the optical disc holder 3 by the locking means 13-15 to thereby cause the optical disc holder 3 to project from the opening 6a. The optical disc holder 3 has a recessed flange 3a for holding the optical disc 2. It is thus possible for the user to take out the optical disc 2 stored in the optical disc storage device 1 very quickly and readily by holding the device with one hand and operating the lock release means 15 with a finger of that hand. That is, unlike the prior art, it

12 is possible to handle an optical disc with one hand not only in home or office but while driving a vehicle. For example, a driver can load an optical disc in a compact disc player while driving a vehicle. Thus, the optical disc storage device according to the invention does not only have the conventional functions of protection and storage of an optical disc but also provides great handling convenience in taking out and replacing an optical disc.

Further, with the optical disc holder formed with the recessed accommodation flange 3a for holding the optical' disc 2 therein, in conjunction with the lips 8, and with-" the inner peripheral wall 3b, formed with the stoppers 9 for engaging the edge of the optical disc 2 on opposite sides, to keep the optical disc 2 from falling out of the holder 3, the optical disc 2 can be reliably held without possibility of movement in the optical disc storage device 1.

13

Claims

Claims: -

1. A device (1) for storing an optical disc (2), the device (1) comprising a casing (6) formed by a body (4) and a lid (5), the casing (6) having means forming an opening (6a) which extends along one side of the body (4), a holder (3) being accommodated within the casing (6), the holder (3) being adapted to hold the optical disc (2), the holder (3) being movable within the casing (6) under a spring bias towards said opening (6a), so that a part of the optical disc (2) projects out of the casing (6) for removal and/or replacement of the optical disc (2), the holder (3) being manually retractable against the spring bias, the device (1) comprising a selectively releasable locking means (13-15) for retaining the holder (3) in its retracted position in the casing (6), against the spring bias.

2. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lid (5) is hinged to the body (4) at one side of the body (4).

3. A device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the side of the body (4) at which the lid (5) is hinged to the body (4) is different from the side of the body (4) along which the opening (6a) extends.

4. A device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the side of the body (4) at which the lid (5) is hinged to the body (4) is opposite to the side of the body (4) along which the opening (6a) extends.

5. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the holder (3) comprises a part-annular flange (3a), cut away at a side of the flange (3a) facing said opening (6a), to engage a rim of the optical disc (2) 14 along part of one side of the rim, and at least one lip (8) to engage the other side of the rim of the optical disc (2).

6. A device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the flange (3a) has a shoulder (7) adapted and arranged to engage the rim of optical disc (2) so as to hold the optical disc (2) away from a recessed part of the flange (3a) extending radially inwardly of the shoulder (7).

7. A device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one stopper (9) is adapted and arranged to stop the optical disc (2) from inadvertently becoming detached f rom the holder (3).

8. A device (1) according to claim 7, wherein two such stoppers (9) are arranged at respective ends of the part-annular flange (3a).

9. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the spring bias is provided by a leaf spring (li) arranged within a part of the casing (6) at the far side thereof from said opening (6a).

10. A device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the leaf spring (11) is fixed by one end thereof to the holder (3) and wherein an opposite end of the spring acts upon the casing (6).

11. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said selectively releasable locking means (13-15) for retaining the holder (3) in its retracted position in the casing (6), against the spring bias, comprises a pawl (14) mounted to the holder (3) to engage a stop (13) inside the body (4) and a manually operable member (15) to disengage the pawl (14) from the stop (13).

-4 is

12. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the casing (6) comprises an element (5a) for closing said opening (6a).

13. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the holder (3) is movable within the casing (6) under the spring bias towards and partly through said 4 9 X cl opening (6a), so that a part of the holder (3) projects, together with said part of the optical disc (2), out of the casing (6) for removal and/or replacement of the optical disc (2), the holder (3) being manually retractable against the spring bias into the casing (6).

13. A device (1) according to claim 12, wherein said element (5a) is a hinged element (5a) forming part of the lid (5).

14. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the holder (3) is movable within the casing (6) under the spring bias towards and partly through said opening (6a), so that a part of the holder (3) projects, together with said part of the optical disc (2), out of the casing (6) for removal and/or replacement of the optical disc (2), the holder (3) being manually retractable against the spring bias into the casing (6).

-'dY 4 k X0 Amendments to the claims have been f lied as follows Cl ai ms: - 1. A device (1) for storing an optical disc (2), the device (1) comprising a casing (6) formed by a body (4) and a lid (5), the casing (6) having means forming an opening (6a) which extends along one side of the body (4), a holder (3) being---accommodated within the casing (6), the holder (3) comprising a part-annular flange (3a), cut away at a side of the flange (3a) facing said opening (6a), to engage a rim of the optical disc (2) along part of one side of the rim, and at least one lip (8) to engage the other side of the rim of the optical disc (2), whereby the holder (3) is adapted to hold the optical disc (2), the holder (3) being movable within the casing (6) under a spring bias towards said opening (6a), so that a part of the optical disc (2) projects out of the casing (6) for removal and/or replacement of the optical disc (2), the holder (3) being manually retractable against the spring bias, the device (1) comprising a selectively releasable locking means (13-15) for retaining the holder (3) in its retracted position in the casing (6), against the spring bias.

3. A device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the side 17 of the body (4) at which the lid (5) is hinged to the body (4) is different from the side of the body (4) along which the opening (6a) extends.

4. A device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the side of the body (4) at which the lid (5) is hinged to the body (4) is opposite tY-the-side-of the body (4) along which the opening (6a) extends.

5. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the flange (3a) has a shoulder (7) adapted and arranged to engage the rim of optical disc (2) so as to hold the optical disc (2) away from a recessed part of the flange (3a) extending radially inwardly of the shoulder (7).

6. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one stopper (9) is adapted and arranged to stop the optical disc (2) from inadvertently becoming detached from the holder (3).

7. A device (1) according to claim 6, wherein two such stoppers (9) are arranged at respective ends of the part-annular flange (3a).

8. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the spring bias is provided by a leaf spring (11) 19 arranged within a part of the casing (6) at the far side thereof from said opening (6a).

9. A device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the leaf spring (11) is fixed by one end thereof to the holder (3) and wherein an opposite end of the spring acts upon the casing (6).

10. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said selectively releasable locking means (13-15) for retaining the holder (3) in its retracted position in the casing (6), against the spring bias, comprises a pawl (14) mounted to the holder (3) to engage a stop (13) inside the body (4) and a manually operable member (15) to disengage the pawl (14) from the stop (13).

11. A device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the casing (6) comprises an element (5a) for closing said opening (6a).

12. A device (1) according to claim 11, wherein said element (5a) is a hinged element (5a) forming part of the lid (5).